Athletics (British Sports Library)

HAMMER THROWING 183 with one turn is executed, but it is not quite so easy as it reads. Bear in mind that it is the right leg that contri– butes most of the two to the throw. The left foot is the pivot foot around which the right travels. If in turning the hammer pulls you over to the left, it means that you have made too large a turn. The throw must be made over and not from below the level of the shoulder. .Momentum both in swinging and turning must be gradually and progressively increased. One of the first things to learn is the control of the hammer itself ; both in swinging and turning the thrower must always be in advance of the hammer (Sketch 5). Directly the rudiments of throwing are mastered, work always for speed and yet more speed. Train with plenty of standing throws; then with slow turns finishing off in hard throws, and fast turns finishing off with light throws. Then bring in throwing to time in such a way that the speed of the turn and the strength of the delivery about balance each other ; in other words, feel that you are throwing with control. Gradually increase the pace until you can turn your fastest and throw your hardest without any loss of control, while supporting the throw from beneath by the upward stretching of the body to the tip-toe rise and by